Protective enclosure for touch screen device

ABSTRACT

A protective enclosure adapted to hold a touch screen device and allow operation of both the touch screen and actuators on a side of the device, the enclosure formed of a tray having a rim surrounding an interior device seating surface; a lid having a rim corresponding to the rim of the tray and surrounding a window aperture; a protective membrane having a transparent membrane forming an interior window positioned in the viewing aperture of the lid, and a continuous pliable seal adapted to be compressible between the corresponding rims of the lid and the tray; and a mechanism for clamping the rim of the lid and the rim of the tray with the pliable seal forming a continuous seal therebetween.

This application is a Continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/799,443 entitled “Protective Enclosure for TouchScreen Device” filed in the name of the same inventor hereof on 13 Mar.2013, which is a Continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/763,679 entitled “Protective Enclosure for TouchScreen Device” filed in the name of the same inventor hereof on 10 Feb.2013, which is a Continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/602,177 entitled “Protective Enclosure for TouchScreen Device” filed in the name of the same inventor hereof on 2 Sep.2012, which references are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dry storage box having a window panelin window aperture arranged for viewing a cavity formed within the box,and in particular to a substantially water-resistant sealing mechanismfor sealing the window panel relative to the window aperture, whereinthe window panel is a membrane adapted to allow operation of a touchscreen interface of an electronic device is disposed in the dry storagebox.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dry storage boxes are generally well known, including protective casesfor electronic devices having a touch screen on the front surface of itscase. These protective cases provide a window membrane adapted to thespecific contour and profile of the electronic device that allows theuser to operate the touch screen interface.

However, known protective cases for touch screen devices are limited intheir ability to provide complete access to operate the touch screendevice efficiently and reliably.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a protective enclosure for a device responsiveto a tactile stimulus, i.e., an electronic device having a touch screeninterface on the front surface of its case, and one or more buttonsand/or switches or other actuators as part of the user interface andpositioned on a side portion of the case, e.g., for powering the touchscreen device and controlling other various functions thereof.

According to one aspect of the invention, the protective enclosureincludes a tray forming an interior device seating area and a rim aroundthe device seating area, wherein the tray is adapted for receiving thedevice on the device seating area and oriented with a portion thereofthat is responsive to a tactile input facing away from the deviceseating area; and a lid that is movable relative to the device seatingarea of the tray between an open position and a closed position. The lidincludes a rim around an aperture, with the aperture positioned forviewing an interior portion of the enclosure there through, and asubstantially transparent pliable membrane positioned in the viewingaperture of the lid, wherein the membrane is formed with an interiorwindow portion, and a continuous pliable seal that is positioned betweenthe rim of the lid and the rim of the tray when the lid is in the closedposition relative to the tray. The enclosure forms a protective caseportion adapted to hold the touch screen device and allowing operationof the touch screen thereof.

According to another aspect of the invention, the lid of the protectiveenclosure is further hinged relative to the device seating area of thetray for moving between an open position and a closed position.Additionally, a clamping mechanism is structured for clamping thepliable seal between the rim of the lid and the rim of the tray forclamping the pliable seal between the rim of the lid and the rim of thetray in a continuous substantially water-resistant seal.

Other aspects of the invention are detailed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomesbetter understood by reference to the following detailed description,when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the protectiveenclosure of the invention for a touch screen device responsive to atactile stimulus;

FIG. 2 illustrates a backside of the protective enclosure illustrated inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates the protective enclosure illustrated in FIG. 1 in anopen position for receiving an iPhone or other touch screen device;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section lengthwise through the protective enclosureillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates the protective enclosure illustrated in FIG. 1 havingmeans for forming a continuous compression seal between a peripheral rimof a lid and a peripheral rim of a tray when the lid is latched in theclosed position relative to the tray;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the protective enclosure illustrated inFIG. 1 that more clearly illustrates means for retaining a seal portionof a protective membrane adjacent to a viewing aperture of the lid;

FIG. 7 is another cross-section of the protective enclosure illustratedin FIG. 1 that more clearly illustrates means for retaining a sealportion of a protective membrane adjacent to a viewing aperture of thelid;

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 together illustrate the protective enclosureillustrated in FIG. 1 wherein an interior cavity of the tray iseliminated;

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 together illustrate the protective enclosureillustrated in FIG. 1 wherein a sheet of a hard and transparent plasticmaterial forms the viewing aperture of the lid surrounded by a pliableskirt portion including the seal portion of the protective membrane;

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 together illustrate another embodiment of aprotective enclosure similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein ahard aromatic polyester or copolyester, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate(PET), or hard and substantially visually transparent polyvinyl chloride(PVC) plastic sheet forms the viewing aperture of the lid surrounded bya pliable seal portion of the protective membrane;

FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 together illustrate another embodiment of theprotective enclosure similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein ahard aromatic polyester or copolyester, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate(PET), or hard and substantially visually transparent polyvinyl chloride(PVC) plastic sheet forms the viewing aperture of the lid surrounded bya pliable seal portion of the protective membrane; and

FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 together illustrate another embodiment of theprotective enclosure similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1 for a deviceresponsive to a tactile stimulus, wherein FIG. 16 is a partialcross-section lengthwise through a first alternative embodiment of theprotective enclosure, and FIG. 17 is a partial cross-section lengthwisethrough a second alternative embodiment the protective enclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As required, a detailed illustrative embodiment of the presentprotective enclosure is disclosed herein. However, techniques, systemsand operating structures in accordance with the present protectiveenclosure may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some ofwhich may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiment.Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are merely representative, yet in that regard, they are deemed toafford the best embodiment for purposes of disclosure and to provide abasis for the claims herein which define the scope of the presentprotective enclosure. The following presents a detailed description ofan illustrative embodiment (as well as some alternative embodiments) ofthe present protective enclosure.

In the Figures, like numerals indicate like elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a protective enclosure 10 for a device responsive toa tactile stimulus. Protective enclosure 10 allows operation of thedevice while the device is disposed therein.

Protective enclosure 10 includes a substantially rigid tray 12 with alid 14 that is movable relative to tray 12. Lid 14 has a substantiallyrigid rim 16 around a viewing aperture 18 that is positioned for viewingan interior portion of enclosure 10 therethrough. A substantiallytransparent pliable membrane 20 is positioned in viewing aperture 18 oflid 14. Polyvinylchloride is a useful material for membrane 20. Membrane20 is also a transmissive membrane adapted to allow sound to passtherethrough with a minimum of distortion. Membrane 20 may beconstructed by injection molding or other methods. Alternative materialsand methods of construction may be used by those skilled in the art toachieve the same results while maintaining within the spirit and intentof the present invention. Protective enclosure 10 is thus adapted tohold the device and allows viewing of the device as well as allowingtactile stimulus to be input thereto through pliable membrane 20. Forexample, protective enclosure 10 is thus adapted to hold a touch screendevice, such as a cellular telephone or iPhone for example availablefrom Apple Inc., Cupertino, Calif. 95014, and allows both viewing of thetouch screen device and input of tactile stimulus to the touch screendevice through pliable membrane 20.

Pliable membrane 20 permits tactile stimulation of the touch screen on afront surface of the device case as well as operation of one or moreactuators on a side of the touch screen device. For example, an interiorwindow portion 22 of membrane 20 is projected outwardly of viewingaperture rim 16 by a pliable skirt portion 24 of membrane 20 that isextended from between lid rim 16 and membrane interior window portion22. Interior window portion 22 of membrane 20 is substantiallytransparent and pliable, whereby membrane interior portion 22 is adaptedto allow tactile stimuli to be communicated to a touch screen exposed ona front surface of the device case. Pliable skirt portion 24 of membrane20 is extended between interior window portion 22 and skirt portion 24.Membrane pliable skirt portion 24 is adapted to allow tactile inputs tobe communicated to one or more actuators on the sides and end portionsof the device case that are spaced below the front surface of the touchscreen device. Pliable skirt portion 24 of membrane 20 is substantiallytransparent to permit viewing of actuators on the sides and end portionsof the touch screen device case.

Lid 14 is movable relative to tray 12 by a hinge 26 along one end ofprotective enclosure 10, and a clamping mechanism 28 is structured forclamping a pliable seal between rim 16 of lid 14 and tray 12 in acontinuous substantially water-resistant seal. For example, clampingmechanism 28 is hinged and is operable, for example, by a handle 30.

FIG. 2 illustrates a backside of protective enclosure 10, wherein a baseportion 32 of tray 12 has means for lifting the iPhone or other touchscreen device toward interior window portion 22 of membrane 20 betweenside skirt portion 24, whereby actuators on the sides and end portionsof the device case are positioned near pliable side skirt portion 24 foractuation therethrough. For example, tray base portion 32 is formed withone (or more) window spacer 34 projected toward lid 14 of enclosure 10.

Substantially rigid tray 12 is optionally formed by molding using asubstantially transparent material, whereby a camera lens or other videocapture device in a back surface of the iPhone or other touch screendevice has a substantially unimpeded view through tray base portion 32.For example, material for tray 12 may be selected to be clear plastic,such as polycarbonate. Through the air communications, such as infraredand over the air radio frequency (RF) communications may pass throughprotective enclosure 10. Appropriate selection of material for tray 12can thereby enable various RF transmissions, such as cellular phonecommunications or other wireless communication protocols whileprotective enclosure 10 is closed. Alternatively, a substantiallytransparent window is provided in tray base portion 32 in a position toaccommodate such camera lens. For example, spacer 34 is formed of asubstantially transparent material for operating as a window in traybase portion 32. Accordingly, window spacer 34 is positioned adjacent tosuch camera lens of the touch screen device for minimizing visualdistortion therethrough.

Optionally, tray base portion 32 is also formed with an indent 36 thatcooperates with one or more additional indents 38 for securing a beltclip or other mechanism for carrying protective enclosure 10 on a user'sperson or mounting on a holder. Other alternative mounting structures 40may be provided for securing such a belt clip or other carrying ormounting mechanism. One or more buttons or feet 42 may be formed on traybase portion 32 for spacing enclosure 10 off of a surface, such as atable or desk.

FIG. 3 illustrates protective enclosure 10 in an open position forreceiving the iPhone or other touch screen device thereinto, or forremoving the device therefrom.

Tray 12 is formed with a peripheral rim 44 surrounding an interiordevice seating surface 46 in a position spaced above tray peripheral rim44. For example, interior device seating surface 46 is formed by windowspacer 34 in combination with one or more interior spacer walls 48within surrounding peripheral rim 44 and substantially parallel withcamera window spacer 34. Accordingly, interior device seating surface 46is structured for spacing the touch screen device away from tray baseportion 32 and outwardly of tray rim 44. Interior device seating surface46 thus spaces touch screen device outwardly of peripheral rim 44 in aposition that, when lid 14 is in the closed position relative to tray12, actuators on sides or end portions of the touch screen device caseare viewable through pliable skirt portion 24 of membrane 20 and alsomay be manipulated therethrough.

Optionally, tray 12 is formed with an opening 50 into an interior cavity52 formed between window spacer 34 and interior spacer walls 48 ofdevice seating surface 46.

A continuous pliable lid seal 54 is positioned between peripheral rim 16of lid 14 and peripheral rim 44 of tray 12. When lid 14 is in the closedposition relative to tray 12, pliable lid seal 54 is compressed betweensubstantially rigid rim 16 of lid 14 and substantially rigid peripheralrim 44 of tray 12 for forming a continuous substantially water-resistantseal around the touch screen device within protective enclosure 10, asdisclosed herein. Optionally, lid seal 54 is formed with a preloadportion 56 that expands evenly between hinge and clamping ends of lidrim 14 to a peak (at 56) thickness near the midpoint of lid rim 14, asmore clearly illustrated in FIG. 4.

Clamping mechanism 28 is more clearly shown here as having a clasp 58hingedly coupled to tray 12 opposite from lid hinge 26, and acooperating catch 60 formed in rim 16 of lid 14. Clasp 58 and catch 60of clamping mechanism 28 thus cooperate to latch lid 14 in the closedposition relative to tray 12.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section lengthwise through protective enclosure 10,and more clearly illustrates lid seal 54 being formed with preloadportion 56 that expands evenly between hinge and clamping ends of lidrim 14 to a peak (at 56) thickness near the midpoint of lid rim 14.Preload portion 56 thickening toward the center of lid seal 54 betweenlengthwise ends of lid rim 16 effectively improve sealing power byproviding extra seal material in the area that may bend from thepressure of compressing lid seal 54 against rim 44 of tray 12. Theadditional material provided by preload portion 56 insures that lid seal54 will form a continuous substantially water-resistant seal between rim16 of lid 14 and tray 12.

Lid seal 54 is illustrated here by example and without limitation asbeing an extension of pliable membrane 20. Accordingly, substantiallytransparent pliable membrane 20 is a single, one-piece unit thatincludes: continuous pliable lid seal portion 54, substantiallytransparent pliable interior window portion 22 that is adapted to allowtactile inputs to be communicated to the touch screen of the device inprotective enclosure 10, and substantially transparent pliable skirtportion 24 that is extended from interior window portion 22 and isadapted to allow tactile inputs to be communicated to one or moreactuators on sides and/or ends of the touch screen device case.

Rim 16 of lid 14 is structured with seal retention means 62 forretaining lid seal portion 54 of membrane 20 adjacent to viewingaperture 18. Seal retention means 62 is formed in lid rim 16 completelysurrounding viewing aperture 18. Seal retention means 62 is formed as afirst contact surface 64 defining a first circumferential barrier formedas a groove extending around the circumference of viewing aperture 18 oflid 14, and a second contact surface 66 disposed adjacent to firstcontact surface 64, second contact surface defining a secondcircumferential barrier formed as a ridge aligned with firstcircumferential barrier groove 64.

By example and without limitation, peripheral lid seal portion 54 isdisposed along the entire circumference of flexible membrane 20 at edgeof pliable skirt portion 24 opposite from membrane interior windowportion 22, wherein peripheral lid seal portion 54 of flexible membrane20 is formed as a sealing lip of an increased thickness of flexiblemembrane 20 relative to membrane skirt portion 24 and interior windowportion 22. Peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 of membrane 20 isconfigured and arranged to be at least partially disposed within firstcircumferential barrier 64 to form a water-resistant seal. For example,membrane peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 includes a first contactsurface 68 defining a first circumferential barrier formed as a ridgeextending around the circumference of membrane skirt portion 24, whichis sized and arranged to be at least partially received into firstcircumferential barrier groove 64 of lid rim 16 entirely aroundcircumference of viewing aperture 18 of lid 14. Peripheral lid sealinglip portion 54 of membrane 20 is further configured and arranged toreceive rim 16 of lid 14 at least partially thereinto. For example,membrane peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 includes a second contactsurface 70 defining a groove extending around the circumference ofmembrane skirt portion 24, which is sized and arranged to receivethereinto second circumferential barrier ridge 66 of lid rim 16 entirelyaround circumference of viewing aperture 18 of lid 14.

Additionally, peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 of flexible membrane20 is configured and arranged to form a water-resistant seal betweenperipheral rim 16 of lid 14 and peripheral rim 44 of tray 12. Peripheralrim 44 of tray 12 is configured and arranged to cooperate with sealretention means 62 of lid rim 16 for at least partially compressingpliable lid seal 54 of membrane 20 therebetween for forming a continuoussubstantially water-resistant seal around the touch screen device withinprotective enclosure 10, as disclosed herein.

By example and without limitation, peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54of flexible membrane 20 is formed with a third contact surface 72defining a first circumferential compression interface formed as a ridgeextending around the circumference of membrane skirt portion 24 andextending therefrom entirely around circumference of rim 16 of lid 14.Peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 of flexible membrane 20 is furtherformed with a fourth contact surface 74 disposed adjacent to thirdcontact surface 72 and defining a second circumferential compressioninterface formed as a flat surface aligned within first circumferentialcompression interface ridge 72.

By example and without limitation, peripheral rim 44 of tray 12 isformed with a first contact surface 76 defining a first circumferentialcompression barrier formed as a groove extending around thecircumference of tray peripheral rim 44, and a second contact surface 78disposed adjacent to first contact surface 76, second contact surface 78defining a second circumferential compression barrier formed as a flatsurface aligned within first circumferential barrier groove 76.

Peripheral first circumferential compression barrier groove 76 of trayrim 44 is sized and arranged to at least partially receive compressivelythereinto first circumferential compression interface ridge 72 ofperipheral lid sealing lip portion 54 of membrane 20 to form acontinuous water-resistant seal between peripheral rim 16 of lid 14 andperipheral rim 44 of tray 12. Furthermore, peripheral secondcircumferential compression barrier flat contact surface 78 is furthersized and arranged within first circumferential barrier groove 76 to atleast partially receive compressively there against secondcircumferential compression interface flat surface 74 of peripheral lidsealing lip portion 54 of membrane 20 to form a continuouswater-resistant seal between peripheral rim 16 of lid 14 and peripheralrim 44 of tray 12.

Peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 of flexible membrane 20 optionallyincludes membrane positioning means 80 for positioning membrane 20 inviewing aperture 18. By example and without limitation, membraneperipheral lid sealing lip portion 54 is formed with a circumferentialgroove 82 and lip 84 fit over an inner peripheral ledge 86 of lidperipheral rim 16 within viewing aperture 18.

As disclosed herein, membrane 20 is easily removed from engagement withviewing aperture 18 in lid 14 and replaced with a new membrane ifnecessary by disengaging membrane positioning means 80, and disengagingseal retention means 62 that retains lid seal portion 54 of membrane 20adjacent to viewing aperture 18. Thereafter, membrane 20 is removed fromviewing aperture 18, and a replacement membrane 20 is installed inreverse.

FIG. 5 illustrates protective enclosure 10 having means for forming acontinuous compression seal 88 between peripheral rim 16 of lid 14 andperipheral rim 44 of tray 12 when lid 14 is in the closed positionrelative to tray 12 and latched therein by clamping mechanism 28.Continuous compression seal 88 is formed of peripheral lid sealing lipportion 54 of membrane 20 being compressed between peripheral rim 16 oflid 14 and peripheral rim 44 of tray 12 by engagement of clampingmechanism 28. Continuous compression seal 88 is formed of firstcircumferential compression interface ridge 72 of peripheral lid sealinglip portion 54 of flexible membrane 20 being compressed against firstcircumferential compression barrier groove 76 of rim 44 of tray 12, andis further formed of second circumferential compression interface flatsurface 74 of peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 of membrane 20 beingcompressed against second circumferential compression barrier flatcontact surface 78 of rim 44 of tray 12.

FIG. 5 further illustrates protective enclosure 10 having a touch screendevice 90, such as a cellular telephone or iPhone, shown in phantomlines, disposed therewithin with a back portion 92 thereof resting onwindow spacer 34 and interior spacer walls 48 of interior device seatingsurface 46. A camera lens 93 positioned on back portion 92 of device 90is positioned adjacent to window spacer 34 at least a portion of whichis substantially transparent for permitting photographic images to beshot therethrough.

A touch screen portion 94 thereof responsive to a tactile stimulus ispositioned upwardly facing toward and close proximity to interior windowportion 22 of membrane 20. Touch screen portion 94 of touch screendevice 90 is responsive to a tactile stimulus input through interiorwindow portion 22 of membrane 20.

One or more buttons and/or switches or other actuators 96 as part of theuser interface. These actuators 96 are typically positioned on a sideportion 98 of case 99 of touch screen device 90 for powering touchscreen device 90 and controlling other various functions thereof. Thesize, layout, and function of actuators 96 may vary for differentmanufacturers and models of touch screen device 90.

Side portions 98 of touch screen device case 99 are elevated intoapproximate alignment with substantially transparent pliable skirtportion 24 of membrane 20 by seating of touch screen device 90 oninterior device seating surface 46 of tray 12. Furthermore, interiordevice seating surface 46 of tray 12 spaces touch screen device case 99such that peripheral rim 16 of lid 14 is arranged so as to not interferewith operation of button and/or switch actuators 96 positioned on sideportion 98 of case 99.

Actuators 96 of touch screen device 90 are raised outwardly of tray 12above rim 16 of lid 14 into a position approximately aligned withsubstantially transparent pliable skirt portion 24 of membrane 20 so asto be accessible to a tactile stimulus input through pliable skirtportion 24. Furthermore, skirt portion 24 of membrane 20 issubstantially transparent for viewing therethrough of actuators 96positioned on side portion 98 of case 99, and is substantially pliablefor operating actuators 96 therethrough, i.e., enabling the user to moreeasily deflect membrane skirt portion 24 over actuators 96. Accordingly,operator of touch screen device 90 is not required to open lid 14 andremove touch screen device 90 from protective enclosure 10 for poweringand otherwise controlling touch screen device 90 via actuators 96 onside portion 98 of case 99.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section that more clearly illustrates seal retentionmeans 62 for retaining lid seal portion 54 of membrane 20 adjacent toviewing aperture 18. Also more clearly illustrated here is membranepositioning means 80 for positioning peripheral lid sealing lip portion54 of flexible membrane 20 in viewing aperture 18, and continuouscompression seal 88 adjacent to junction 100 of peripheral rim 16 of lid14 and peripheral rim 44 of tray 12 when lid 14 is in the closedposition relative to tray 12 and latched therein by clamping mechanism28.

FIG. 7 is another cross-section that clearly illustrates seal retentionmeans 62 for retaining lid seal portion 54 of membrane 20 adjacent toviewing aperture 18. Also more clearly illustrated here is membranepositioning means 80 for positioning peripheral lid sealing lip portion54 of flexible membrane 20 in viewing aperture 18, and continuouscompression seal 88 adjacent to junction 100 of peripheral rim 16 of lid14 and peripheral rim 44 of tray 12 when lid 14 is in the closedposition relative to tray 12 and latched therein by clamping mechanism28.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 together illustrate protective enclosure 10 whereininterior cavity 52 is eliminated. Protective enclosure 10 is otherwisesubstantially the same as illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 herein. Here, windowspacer 34 is substantially continuous along interior spacer walls 48 andforms interior device seating surface 46 for spacing the touch screendevice away from tray base portion 32 and outwardly of tray rim 44 in aposition that, when lid 14 is in the closed position relative to tray12, actuators on sides or end portions of the touch screen device caseare viewable through pliable skirt portion 24 of membrane 20 and alsomay be manipulated therethrough. Optionally, a space 102 is formedunderneath interior device seating surface 46, but this is not necessaryto the function of protective enclosure 10 and interior device seatingsurface 46.

Alternative Embodiments

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 together illustrate protective enclosure 10 for adevice responsive to a tactile stimulus illustrated in FIG. 1, whereinFIG. 10 is a cross-section lengthwise through enclosure 10, and FIG. 11is a partial section view of membrane 20 of lid 14. In FIGS. 10 and 11,protective membrane 20 of lid 14 is a two-part member including asubstantially transparent, hard, inelastic and noncompressible plasticsheet component forming interior window portion 22 of membrane 20, and amolded component forming resiliently pliable skirt portion 24 of a softand compressible material surrounding transparent hard plastic sheetcomponent of interior window portion 22. Optionally, soft, pliable andcompressible skirt portion 24 forms a substantially watertight seal withhard, inelastic and noncompressible interior window portion 22.

For example, the plastic sheet component forming interior window portion22 of membrane 20 is optionally a noncompressible sheet of relativelyhard and substantially visually transparent material, including but notlimited to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or another suitablesubstantially visually transparent material. For example, and withoutlimitation, in addition to homopolymer PET, poly(ethylene terephtalate),PET modified by copolymerization is also suitable for use in the presentinvention. Examples of suitable copolymers, preferably used in smallamounts, include cyclohexane dimethanol CHDM), often referred to as PETGor PET-G (polyethylene terephtalate glycol-modified), such as availablefrom Eastman Chemical, SK Chemicals, or Artenius Italia. Furthercopolymers include isophthalic acid, Naphthalene decarboxylic acid,4,4-bisphenyldicarboxylic acid and/or dimethylterephlatate and one ormore diols, which, in addition to ethylene gycol include, for example,neopentylglcycol and or diethleneglycol. According to one embodiment,the plastic sheet component forming interior window portion 22 ofmembrane 20 is optionally a noncompressible sheet of relatively hard andsubstantially visually transparent polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material.

As disclosed herein, membrane 20 having PET or PVC or other suitablehard, noncompressible and inelastic plastic sheet component of interiorwindow portion 22 similarly permits tactile stimulation of the touchscreen on a front surface of the device case, as well as operation ofone or more actuators on a side of the touch screen device. Plasticinterior window portion 22 of membrane 20 is projected outwardly ofviewing aperture rim 16 by pliable skirt portion 24 of membrane 20 thatis extended from between lid rim 16 and membrane interior window portion22. According to one embodiment, plastic interior window portion 22 ofmembrane 20 is a noncompressible sheet of thin plastic film that issubstantially transparent for viewing interior portion of enclosure 10therethrough and is further adapted to allow tactile stimuli to becommunicated to touch screen 94 exposed on a front surface of touchscreen device 90 installed in enclosure 10. For example, noncompressiblesheet component is sufficiently thin to permit interior window portion22 to flex enough for user's digits to contact touch screen portion 94of device 90 therethrough, and further, to transmit a tactile stimulustherethrough to touch screen portion 94 for registering a tactile inputfor effecting a response from touch screen device 90 without damage tointerior window portion 22. Noncompressible plastic sheet component ofinterior window portion 22 is optionally a sheet of substantiallytransparent thin, hard plastic film material in the range of about 0.003to 0.010 inch thick which has been determined to effectively allowtactile stimuli to be communicated to touch screen 94 of touch screendevice 90 installed in enclosure 10, without damage to interior windowportion 22. According to one embodiment, noncompressible plastic sheetcomponent of interior window portion 22 is optionally in the range ofabout 0.004 to 0.005 inch thick. Noncompressible plastic sheet componentof interior window portion 22 is surrounded by resiliently pliable skirtportion 24 including lid seal portion 54 of protective membrane 20.Skirt portion 24 is joined to a peripheral edge portion 104 of interiorwindow portion 22 of protective membrane 20, optionally forming asubstantially continuous watertight seal therewith.

Pliable skirt portion 24 of membrane 20 is extended between interiorwindow portion 22 and skirt portion 24. Membrane pliable skirt portion24 is molded of a suitable resiliently pliable, soft and compressiblematerial in a manner to allow tactile inputs to be communicated to oneor more actuators 96 on sides and/or end portions 98 of device case 99that are spaced below touch screen 94 of touch screen device 90. Wheninterior window portion 22 of membrane 20 is a noncompressible sheet ofrelatively hard and substantially visually transparent PET or PVC orother suitable material, pliable skirt portion 24 is optionally moldedof any melt processable thermoplastic elastomer that is compatible withthe material of interior window portion 22, including but not limited topolyvinyl chloride (PVC) or silicone or thermoplastic rubber (TPR) orthermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or another suitable compatible material.Pliable skirt portion 24 of membrane 20 is optionally adapted to permitviewing of actuators 96 on sides and end portions 98 of case 99 of touchscreen device 90. For example, pliable skirt portion 24 of membrane 20is optionally substantially visually transparent for viewing interiorportion of enclosure 10 therethrough.

By example and without limitation, pliable skirt portion 24 ofprotective membrane 20 is joined to peripheral edge portion 104 ofinterior window portion 22 by over-molding therewith, for example, byinjection molding skirt portion 24 with sheet component of interiorwindow portion 22 thereby forming a circumferential wall coupled toperipheral edge portion 104 thereof. Alternatively, skirt portion 24 ofprotective membrane 20 is joined to peripheral edge portion 104 ofinterior window portion 22 by another suitable manufacturing method,including but not limited to ultra-sonic or chemical welding, or othersuitable non-adhesive bonding process during formation of skirt portion24. Optionally, the joining technique forms the optional substantiallycontinuous watertight seal 108 of skirt portion 24 with edge portion 104of interior window portion 22.

Pliable skirt portion 24 thus forms a thick, soft and flexible frameportion 106 of protective membrane 20 that is overlapping andsubstantially continuous with thin, hard and noncompressible plasticinterior window portion 22 thereof. Overmolding, ultra-sonic or chemicalwelding, or other suitable non-adhesive joining method of skirt portion24 causes frame portion 106 thereof to form optional substantiallywatertight seal 108 with peripheral edge portion 104 of interior windowportion 22. Optionally, frame portion 106 of skirt portion 24 overlapsinterior window portion 22 thereof on either one or both (shown) of anouter surface 110 thereof and an inner surface 112 thereof.

PVC, silicone or other resiliently pliable skirt portion 24 includescontinuous pliable lid seal 54 positioned between peripheral rim 16 oflid 14 and peripheral rim 44 of tray 12 that, when lid 14 is in theclosed position relative to tray 12, is compressed between substantiallyrigid rim 16 of lid 14 and substantially rigid peripheral rim 44 of tray12 for forming a continuous substantially water-resistant seal aroundthe touch screen device within protective enclosure 10, as disclosedherein. Optionally, lid seal 54 is formed with preload portion 56 thatexpands evenly between hinge and clamping ends of lid rim 14 to a peakthickness near the midpoint of lid rim 14, as more clearly illustratedin FIG. 4, and insures that lid seal 54 will form a continuoussubstantially water-resistant seal between rim 16 of lid 14 and tray 12.

Overmolding or other suitable joining of pliable skirt portion 24 withinterior window portion 22 results in protective membrane 20 beingsubstantially a single, unitary one-piece unit that includes: continuouspliable lid seal portion 54, substantially transparent noncompressibleinterior window portion 22 that is adapted to allow tactile inputs to becommunicated to the touch screen of the device in protective enclosure10, and pliable, soft and compressible skirt portion 24 that is joinedthereto along edge portion 104 thereof and extended from interior windowportion 22, and wherein skirt portion 24 is adapted to allow tactileinputs to be communicated to one or more actuators on sides and/or endsof the touch screen device case.

Peripheral lid seal portion 54 is disposed along the entirecircumference of protective membrane 20 at edge of pliable skirt portion24 opposite from interior window portion 22, wherein peripheral lid sealportion 54 of membrane 20 is formed as a sealing lip of an increasedthickness of membrane 20 relative to membrane skirt portion 24 andinterior window portion 22. As disclosed herein, peripheral lid sealinglip portion 54 of membrane 20 is configured and arranged to be at leastpartially disposed within first circumferential barrier 64 to form awater-resistant seal. For example, membrane peripheral lid sealing lipportion 54 includes first contact surface 68 defining a firstcircumferential barrier formed as a ridge extending around thecircumference of membrane skirt portion 24, which is sized and arrangedto be at least partially received into first circumferential barriergroove 64 of lid rim 16 entirely around circumference of viewingaperture 18 of lid 14. Peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 of membrane20 is further configured and arranged to receive rim 16 of lid 14 atleast partially thereinto. For example, as disclosed herein, membraneperipheral lid sealing lip portion 54 includes second contact surface 70defining a groove extending around circumference of membrane skirtportion 24, which is sized and arranged to receive thereinto secondcircumferential barrier ridge 66 of lid rim 16 entirely aroundcircumference of viewing aperture 18 of lid 14.

Also, as disclosed herein, peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 ofprotective membrane 20 is configured and arranged to form awater-resistant seal between peripheral rim 16 of lid 14 and peripheralrim 44 of tray 12. Peripheral rim 44 of tray 12 is configured andarranged to cooperate with seal retention means 62 of lid rim 16 for atleast partially compressing lid pliable seal 54 of membrane 20therebetween for forming a continuous substantially water-resistant sealaround the touch screen device within protective enclosure 10, asdisclosed herein.

As disclosed herein, peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 of protectivemembrane 20 is formed with third contact surface 72 defining a firstcircumferential compression interface formed as a ridge extending aroundthe circumference of membrane skirt portion 24 and extending therefromentirely around circumference of rim 16 of lid 14. Peripheral lidsealing lip portion 54 of membrane 20 is further formed with fourthcontact surface 74 disposed adjacent to third contact surface 72 anddefining a second circumferential compression interface formed as a flatsurface aligned within first circumferential compression interface ridge72. Peripheral first circumferential compression barrier groove 76 oftray rim 44 is sized and arranged to at least partially receivecompressively thereinto first circumferential compression interfaceridge 72 of peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 of membrane 20 to forma continuous water-resistant seal between peripheral rim 16 of lid 14and peripheral rim 44 of tray 12. Furthermore, peripheral secondcircumferential compression barrier flat contact surface 78 is furthersized and arranged within first circumferential barrier groove 76 to atleast partially receive compressively there against secondcircumferential compression interface flat surface 74 of peripheral lidsealing lip portion 54 of membrane 20 to form a continuouswater-resistant seal between peripheral rim 16 of lid 14 and peripheralrim 44 of tray 12.

As disclosed herein, peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 of membrane20 optionally includes membrane positioning means 80 for positioningprotective membrane 20 in viewing aperture 18. By example and withoutlimitation, membrane peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 is formedwith circumferential groove 82 and lip 84 fit over inner peripheralledge 86 of lid peripheral rim 16 within viewing aperture 18. Here, lip84 is optionally wider for a more secure joint with inner peripheralledge 86 inside viewing aperture 18 within peripheral rim 16 of lid 14.

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 together illustrate another embodiment of aprotective enclosure 10 for a device responsive to a tactile stimulussimilar to that illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 12 is across-section lengthwise through enclosure 10 and having touch screendevice 90 installed therein, and FIG. 13 is a partial section viewthrough enclosure 10 detailing membrane 20 of lid 14.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, protective membrane 20 of lid 14 is a two-partmember including a substantially transparent, hard, inelastic andnoncompressible plastic sheet component forming interior window portion22 of membrane 20, and a molded component forming resiliently pliablelid seal portion 54 of a soft and compressible material surroundingtransparent hard plastic sheet component of interior window portion 22.Optionally, soft, pliable and compressible lid seal portion 54 formssubstantially continuous watertight compression seal 88 with hard,inelastic and noncompressible interior window portion 22.

For example, as disclosed herein, the plastic sheet component forminginterior window portion 22 of membrane 20 is optionally anoncompressible sheet of relatively hard and substantially visuallytransparent material, including but not limited to polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) or another suitable substantially visuallytransparent material which similarly permits tactile stimulation of thetouch screen on a front surface of the device case. According to oneembodiment, plastic interior window portion 22 of membrane 20 is anoncompressible sheet of thin plastic film that is substantiallytransparent for viewing interior portion of enclosure 10 therethroughand is further adapted to allow tactile stimuli to be communicatedtherethrough to touch screen 94 exposed on a front surface of touchscreen device 90 installed in enclosure 10. For example, noncompressiblesheet component is sufficiently thin to permit interior window portion22 to flex enough for user's digits to contact touch screen portion 94of device 90 therethrough, and further, to transmit a tactile stimulustherethrough to touch screen portion 94 for registering a tactile inputfor effecting a response from touch screen device 90 without damage tointerior window portion 22. As further disclosed herein, noncompressibleplastic sheet component of interior window portion 22 is optionally asheet of substantially transparent thin, hard plastic film material inthe range of about 0.003 to 0.010 inch thick which has been determinedto effectively allow tactile stimuli to be communicated to touch screen94 of touch screen device 90 installed in enclosure 10, without damageto interior window portion 22. According to one embodiment,noncompressible plastic sheet component of interior window portion 22 isoptionally in the range of about 0.004 to 0.005 inch thick.Noncompressible plastic sheet component of interior window portion 22 issurrounded by pliable and resiliently compressible lid seal portion 54of protective membrane 20. Lid seal portion 54 is joined to a peripheraledge portion 104 of interior window portion 22 of protective membrane20, optionally forming a substantially continuous watertight sealtherewith.

Membrane lid seal portion 54 is molded of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) orsilicone or another suitable resiliently pliable, soft and compressiblematerial in a manner to form a water-tight seal with noncompressibleplastic sheet component of interior window portion 22, as well as toallow a substantially water-tight seal to be formed between tray 12 andlid 14.

By example and without limitation, lid seal portion 54 of protectivemembrane 20 forms thick, soft and flexible frame portion 106 that isjoined to peripheral edge portion 104 of interior window portion 22. Forexample, frame portion 106 of lid seal portion 54 is joined toperipheral edge portion 104 of interior window portion 22 byover-molding therewith, for example, by injection molding lid sealportion 54 with sheet component of interior window portion 22 andthereby forming a circumferential wall coupled to peripheral edgeportion 104 thereof. Alternatively, lid seal portion 54 of protectivemembrane 20 is joined to peripheral edge portion 104 of interior windowportion 22 by another suitable manufacturing method, including but notlimited to ultra-sonic or chemical welding, or other suitablenon-adhesive bonding process. Optionally, the joining technique formsthe optional substantially continuous watertight seal 108 of lid sealportion 54 with edge portion 104 of interior window portion 22.

Compressible lid seal portion 54 thus forms thick, soft and flexibleframe portion 106 of protective membrane 20 that is overlapping andsubstantially continuous with thin, hard and noncompressible plasticinterior window portion 22 thereof. Overmolding, ultra-sonic or chemicalwelding, or other suitable non-adhesive joining method of lid sealportion 54 causes frame portion 106 thereof to form optionalsubstantially watertight seal 108 with peripheral edge portion 104 ofinterior window portion 22. Optionally, frame portion 106 overlapsinterior window portion 22 thereof on either one or both (shown) of anouter surface 110 thereof and an inner surface 112 thereof.

Rim 16 of lid 14 is structured with seal retainer 62 adapted forretaining lid seal portion 54 of protective membrane 20 adjacent toviewing aperture 18. Seal retention arrangement 62 is formed in lid rim16 completely surrounding viewing aperture 18. Seal retentionarrangement 62 is formed as a first contact surface 64 defining a firstcircumferential barrier formed as a groove extending around thecircumference of viewing aperture 18 of lid 14, and a second contactsurface 66 disposed adjacent to first contact surface 64, second contactsurface defining a second circumferential barrier formed as a ridgealigned with first circumferential barrier groove 64 and interiorthereof.

Peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 is disposed along the entirecircumference of protective membrane 20 at edge portion 104 thereof,wherein peripheral lid seal portion 54 of membrane 20 is formed as asealing lip of an increased thickness of membrane 20 relative tointerior window portion 22 thereof. As disclosed herein, peripheral lidsealing lip portion 54 of membrane 20 is configured and arranged to beat least partially disposed within first circumferential barrier 64 toform a water-resistant seal. For example, membrane peripheral lidsealing lip portion 54 includes first contact surface 68 defining afirst circumferential barrier formed as a ridge extending around thecircumference of seal 108 with peripheral edge portion 104 of interiorwindow portion 22, and is sized and arranged to be at least partiallyreceived into first circumferential barrier groove 64 of lid rim 16entirely around circumference of viewing aperture 18 of lid 14.Peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 of membrane 20 is furtherconfigured and arranged to receive rim 16 of lid 14 at least partiallytherearound. For example, membrane peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54includes a second contact surface 70 defining a ledge extending aroundthe circumference thereof, which is sized and arranged to contact secondcircumferential barrier ridge 66 of lid rim 16 entirely aroundcircumference of viewing aperture 18 of lid 14.

Also, as disclosed herein, peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 ofprotective membrane 20 is configured and arranged to form awater-resistant seal between peripheral rim 16 of lid 14 and peripheralrim 44 of tray 12. Peripheral rim 44 of tray 12 is configured andarranged to cooperate with seal retention arrangement 62 of lid rim 16for at least partially compressing lid sealing lip 54 of membrane 20therebetween for forming a continuous substantially water-resistant sealaround the touch screen device 90 within protective enclosure 10, asdisclosed herein.

As disclosed herein, peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 of protectivemembrane 20 is formed with third contact surface 72 defining a firstcircumferential compression interface formed as a ridge extending aroundthe circumference thereof and extending therefrom entirely aroundcircumference of rim 16 of lid 14. Peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54of membrane 20 is further formed with fourth contact surface 74 disposedadjacent to third contact surface 72 and defining a secondcircumferential compression interface formed as a flat surface alignedwithin first circumferential compression interface ridge 72.

By example and without limitation, peripheral rim 44 of tray 12 isformed with a first contact surface 76 defining a first circumferentialcompression barrier formed as a groove extending around thecircumference of tray peripheral rim 44, and a second contact surface 78disposed adjacent to first contact surface 76, wherein second contactsurface 78 defines a second circumferential compression barrier formedas a flat surface aligned within first circumferential barrier groove76.

Peripheral first circumferential compression barrier groove 76 of trayrim 44 is sized and arranged to at least partially receive compressivelythereinto first circumferential compression interface ridge 72 ofperipheral lid sealing lip portion 54 of membrane 20 to form acontinuous water-resistant seal between peripheral rim 16 of lid 14 andperipheral rim 44 of tray 12. Furthermore, peripheral secondcircumferential compression barrier flat contact surface 78 is furthersized and arranged within first circumferential barrier groove 76 to atleast partially receive compressively there against secondcircumferential compression interface flat surface 74 of peripheral lidsealing lip portion 54 of membrane 20 to form a continuouswater-resistant seal between peripheral rim 16 of lid 14 and peripheralrim 44 of tray 12.

As disclosed herein, peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 of membrane20 optionally includes membrane positioning arrangement 80 forpositioning protective membrane 20 in viewing aperture 18. By exampleand without limitation, membrane peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54is formed with outer circumferential surface 114 positioned againstfirst circumferential barrier 64 inside seal retention arrangement 62 oflid peripheral rim 16 within viewing aperture 18.

As disclosed herein, membrane 20 is easily removed from engagement withviewing aperture 18 in lid 14 and replaced with a new membrane ifnecessary by disengaging membrane positioning arrangement 80, anddisengaging seal retention arrangement 62 that retains lid seal portion54 of membrane 20 adjacent to viewing aperture 18. Thereafter, membrane20 is removed from viewing aperture 18, and a replacement membrane 20 isinstalled in reverse.

Flexible frame portion 106 of protective membrane 20 forms compressionseal 88 between peripheral rim 16 of lid 14 and peripheral rim 44 oftray 12 when lid 14 is in the closed position relative to tray 12 andlatched therein by clamping mechanism 28. Continuous compression seal 88is formed of peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 of membrane 20 beingcompressed between peripheral rim 16 of lid 14 and peripheral rim 44 oftray 12 by engagement of clamping mechanism 28. Continuous compressionseal 88 is formed of first circumferential compression interface ridge72 of peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 of flexible membrane 20being compressed against first circumferential compression barriergroove 76 of rim 44 of tray 12, and is further formed of secondcircumferential compression interface flat surface 74 of peripheral lidsealing lip portion 54 of membrane 20 being compressed against secondcircumferential compression barrier flat contact surface 78 of rim 44 oftray 12.

Furthermore, engagement of clamping mechanism 28 further causescompression of peripheral lid sealing lip portion 54 against peripheralrim 16 of lid 14. Engagement of clamping mechanism 28 compresses firstcontact surface 68 of lid sealing lip portion 54 into sealing engagementwith seal retention arrangement 62 of peripheral rim 16 of lid 14.

Continuous compressible lid seal portion 54 is positioned betweenperipheral rim 16 of lid 14 and peripheral rim 44 of tray 12 that, whenlid 14 is in the closed position relative to tray 12, lid seal portion54 is compressed between substantially rigid rim 16 of lid 14 andsubstantially rigid peripheral rim 44 of tray 12 for forming acontinuous substantially water-resistant compression seal 88 around thetouch screen device 90 within protective enclosure 10, as disclosedherein. As disclosed herein, lid seal 54 is optionally formed withpreload portion 56 that expands evenly between hinge and clamping endsof lid rim 14 to a peak thickness near the midpoint of lid rim 14, asmore clearly illustrated in FIG. 4, and insures that lid seal 54 willform a continuous substantially water-resistant seal between rim 16 oflid 14 and tray 12.

Overmolding or other suitable joining of compressible lid seal portion54 with interior window portion 22 results in protective membrane 20being substantially a single, unitary one-piece unit that includes:substantially transparent noncompressible interior window portion 22that is adapted to allow tactile inputs to be communicated to the touchscreen of the device in protective enclosure 10, and continuouscompressible lid seal portion 54 that is joined thereto along edgeportion 104 thereof and extended from interior window portion 22.

FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 together illustrate another embodiment of theprotective enclosure 10 for a device responsive to a tactile stimulussimilar to that illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 14 is across-section lengthwise through enclosure 10 and having touch screendevice 90 installed therein, and FIG. 15 is a partial section viewthrough enclosure 10 detailing membrane 20 of lid 14.

In FIGS. 14 and 15, protective membrane 20 of lid 14 is a two-partmember including a substantially transparent, hard, inelastic andnoncompressible plastic sheet component forming interior window portion22 of membrane 20, and a molded component forming resiliently pliablelid seal portion 54 of a soft and compressible material surroundingtransparent hard plastic sheet component of interior window portion 22.Optionally, soft, pliable and compressible lid seal portion 54 formssubstantially continuous watertight compression seal 88 with hard,inelastic and noncompressible interior window portion 22.

Here, compressible lid seal portion 54 forms thick, soft and flexibleframe portion 106 of protective membrane 20 that is overlapping andsubstantially continuous with thin, hard and noncompressible plasticinterior window portion 22 thereof. Overmolding, ultra-sonic or chemicalwelding, or other suitable non-adhesive joining method of lid sealportion 54 causes frame portion 106 thereof to form optionalsubstantially watertight seal 108 with peripheral edge portion 104 ofinterior window portion 22. Optionally, frame portion 106 overlapsinterior window portion 22 thereof on either one (shown) or both of anouter surface 110 thereof and an inner surface 112 thereof.

For example, as disclosed herein, the plastic sheet component forminginterior window portion 22 of membrane 20 is optionally anoncompressible sheet of relatively hard and substantially visuallytransparent material, including but not limited to polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or another suitablesubstantially visually transparent material which similarly permitstactile stimulation of the touch screen on a front surface of the devicecase. According to one embodiment, plastic interior window portion 22 ofmembrane 20 is a noncompressible sheet of thin plastic film that issubstantially transparent for viewing interior portion of enclosure 10therethrough and is further adapted to allow tactile stimuli to becommunicated therethrough to touch screen 94 exposed on a front surfaceof touch screen device 90 installed in enclosure 10. For example,noncompressible sheet component is sufficiently thin to permit interiorwindow portion 22 to flex enough for user's digits to contact touchscreen portion 94 of device 90 therethrough, and further, to transmit atactile stimulus therethrough to touch screen portion 94 for registeringa tactile input for effecting a response from touch screen device 90without damage to interior window portion 22. As further disclosedherein, noncompressible plastic sheet component of interior windowportion 22 is optionally a sheet of substantially transparent thin, hardplastic film material in the range of about 0.003 to 0.010 inch thickwhich has been determined to effectively allow tactile stimuli to becommunicated to touch screen 94 of touch screen device 90 installed inenclosure 10, without damage to interior window portion 22. According toone embodiment, noncompressible plastic sheet component of interiorwindow portion 22 is optionally in the range of about 0.004 to 0.005inch thick. Noncompressible plastic sheet component of interior windowportion 22 is surrounded by pliable and resiliently compressible lidseal portion 54 of protective membrane 20. Lid seal portion 54 is joinedto a peripheral edge portion 104 of interior window portion 22 ofprotective membrane 20, optionally forming a substantially continuouswatertight seal therewith.

Membrane lid seal portion 54 is molded of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) orsilicone or another suitable resiliently pliable, soft and compressiblematerial in a manner to form a water-tight seal with noncompressibleplastic sheet component of interior window portion 22, as well as toallow a substantially water-tight seal to be formed between tray 12 andlid 14.

By example and without limitation, lid seal portion 54 of protectivemembrane 20 is joined to peripheral edge portion 104 of interior windowportion 22 by over-molding therewith, for example, by injection moldinglid seal portion 54 with sheet component of interior window portion 22thereby forming a circumferential wall coupled to peripheral edgeportion 104 thereof. Alternatively, lid seal portion 54 of protectivemembrane 20 is joined to peripheral edge portion 104 of interior windowportion 22 by another suitable manufacturing method, including but notlimited to ultra-sonic or chemical welding, or other suitablenon-adhesive bonding process. Optionally, the joining technique formsthe optional substantially continuous watertight seal 108 of lid sealportion 54 with edge portion 104 of interior window portion 22.

Compressible lid seal portion 54 thus forms thick, soft and flexibleframe portion 106 of protective membrane 20 that is overlapping andsubstantially continuous with thin, hard and noncompressible plasticinterior window portion 22 thereof. Overmolding, ultra-sonic or chemicalwelding, or other suitable non-adhesive joining method of lid sealportion 54 causes frame portion 106 thereof to form optionalsubstantially watertight seal 108 with peripheral edge portion 104 ofinterior window portion 22. Optionally, frame portion 106 overlapsinterior window portion 22 thereof on either one or both (shown) of anouter surface 110 thereof and an inner surface 112 thereof.

Overmolding or other suitable joining of compressible lid seal portion54 with interior window portion 22 results in protective membrane 20being substantially a single, unitary one-piece unit that includes:substantially transparent noncompressible interior window portion 22that is adapted to allow tactile inputs to be communicated to the touchscreen of the device in protective enclosure 10, and continuouscompressible lid seal portion 54 that is joined thereto along edgeportion 104 thereof and extended from interior window portion 22.

Here, edge portion 104 around entire circumference of protectivemembrane 20 is positioned between flexible frame portion 106 thereof andsecond contact surface 66 of lid 14 extending around entirecircumference of viewing aperture 18. When lid 14 is in the closedposition relative to tray 12 and latched therein, edge portion 104 ofprotective membrane 20 is compressed between flexible frame portion 106thereof and second contact surface 66 of lid 14 around circumference ofviewing aperture 18. However, such compression of edge portion 104 isnot necessary for forming compression seal 88 between peripheral rim 16of lid 14 and peripheral rim 44 of tray 12.

Additional Alternative Embodiments

FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 together illustrate protective enclosure 10 for adevice responsive to a tactile stimulus illustrated in FIG. 1, whereinFIG. 16 is a partial cross-section lengthwise through a firstalternative embodiment of enclosure 10, and FIG. 17 is a partialcross-section lengthwise through a second alternative embodiment ofenclosure 10. In both FIGS. 16 and 17, protective membrane 20 of lid 14is a two-part member including a substantially transparent, hard,inelastic and noncompressible plastic sheet component forming windowportion 22 of membrane 20, and a separate and distinct molded lid sealcomponent 122 of a soft, pliable and resiliently compressible materialis substituted for continuous pliable lid seal 54. Separate and distinctcontinuous pliable lid seal 122 forms continuous compression seal 88adjacent to junction 100 of peripheral rim 16 of lid 14 and peripheralrim 44 of tray 12 when lid 14 is in the closed position relative to tray12 and latched therein by clamping mechanism 28, as disclosed herein.

In both FIGS. 16 and 17, lid 14 of protective enclosure 10 is formedwith substantially rigid rim 16 around viewing aperture 18 that ispositioned for viewing interior cavity 52 of enclosure 10 therethrough.

In both FIGS. 16 and 17, plastic sheet component window portion 22 ofmembrane 20 is positioned in viewing aperture 18 of lid 14. By exampleand without limitation, peripheral edge portion 104 of interior windowportion 22 is joined to an interior window frame portion 116 of lid rim16 surrounding viewing aperture 18 of lid 14. By example and withoutlimitation, peripheral edge portion 104 of interior window portion 22 isjoined to interior window frame portion 116 surrounding lid viewingaperture 18 by therewith. For example, over-molding interior windowportion 22 into interior window frame portion 116 of lid viewingaperture 18 is optionally accomplished utilizing a conventional insertmolding process, wherein interior window portion 22 is positioned in aninjection mold die for molding lid 14, then a molten stage of suitablepolymer is injected into the same mold die cavity for forming lid 14thereof. A substantially continuous and water-tight bond 118 betweeninterior window portion 22 and lid 14 at intersection of peripheral edgeportion 104 of interior window portion 22 and interior window frameportion 116 of lid viewing aperture 18 is thus achieved through theinsert molding process.

Bond 118 between the sub-components of the finished lid 14, i.e.,interior window portion 22 and lid viewing aperture 18, is optionallyachieved either via chemical adhesion between compatible plastics, ormechanical interference/interlocking means. Utilization of theconventional insert molding process allows the use of a chemicaladhesive to be applied to the inserted sub-component(s), i.e.,peripheral edge portion 104 of interior window portion 22, prior tomolding, if required, for enhanced adhesion.

According to one embodiment, the plastic sheet component forminginterior window portion 22 of membrane 20 is optionally anoncompressible sheet of relatively hard and substantially visuallytransparent polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material, and the polymer that isinjected into the mold die cavity for forming lid 14 is a polyvinylchloride (PVC) material.

Regarding interior window portion 22 of membrane 20, a hard aromaticpolyester or copolyester, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate (PET), orhomopolymer PET, poly(ethylene terephtalate), PET modified bycopolymerization is also suitable for use in the present invention andare also contemplated and may be substituted for the polyvinyl chloride(PVC) material without deviating from the scope and intent of thepresent invention. Examples of suitable copolymers, preferably used insmall amounts, include cyclohexane dimethanol CHDM), often referred toas PETG or PET-G (polyethylene terephtalate glycol-modified), such asavailable from Eastman Chemical, SK Chemicals, or Artenius Italia.Further copolymers include isophthalic acid, Naphthalene decarboxylicacid, 4,4-bisphenyldicarboxylic acid and/or dimethylterephlatate and oneor more diols, which, in addition to ethylene gycol include, forexample, neopentylglcycol and or diethleneglycol. Such materials arealso contemplated and may be included and/or substituted withoutdeviating from the scope and intent of the present invention, asdisclosed herein.

Regarding lid 14, other materials for forming lid 14 are alsocontemplated and may be substituted for the polyvinyl chloride (PVC)material without deviating from the scope and intent of the presentinvention, including but not limited to silicone or thermoplastic rubber(TPR) or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or another suitable materialcompatible with the material of interior window portion 22 of membrane20.

When interior window portion 22 is over-molded with lid 14, a lipportion 120 of interior window frame portion 116 of lid viewing aperture18 is optionally molded over peripheral edge portion 104 of interiorwindow portion 22. Interior window portion 22 is thus partiallyencapsulated within window frame portion 116 of lid viewing aperture 18,and a second substantially continuous and water-tight bond 118 is formedbetween peripheral edge portion 104 of interior window portion 22 andlip portion 120 of interior window frame portion 116.

When interior window portion 22 is over-molded with lid 14, separate anddistinct molded lid seal component 122 of a soft and resilientlycompressible material replaces continuous pliable lid seal 54 ispositioned between peripheral rim 16 of lid 14 and peripheral rim 44 oftray 12 for sealing interior of protective enclosure 10. For example,lid seal component 122 is a proprietary shape designed to cooperate withmolded circumferential compression barrier groove 76 features of tray 12and molded seal retention means 62 features lid 14, as disclosed herein.Thus, proprietary design molded lid seal component 122 forms continuouscompression seal 88 between peripheral rim 16 of lid 14 and peripheralrim 44 of tray 12 when lid 14 is in the closed position relative to tray12 and latched therein by clamping mechanism 28. Proprietary designmolded lid seal component 122 optionally is molded with preload portion56 that expands evenly between hinge and clamping ends of lid rim 14 toa peak thickness near the midpoint of lid rim 14, as more clearlyillustrated in FIG. 4, and insures that lid seal 122 will form acontinuous substantially water-resistant seal between rim 16 of lid 14and tray 12.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 17, peripheral rim 16 of lid 14and peripheral rim 44 of tray 12 are adapted to cooperate with lid sealcomponent 122, wherein separate and distinct lid seal component 122 is aseparate conventional o-ring of a soft and resiliently compressiblematerial. O-ring lid seal component 122 is utilized to formsubstantially continuous watertight compression seal 88 betweenperipheral rim 16 of lid 14 and peripheral rim 44 of tray 12 when lid 14is in the closed position relative to tray 12 and latched therein byclamping mechanism 28. For example, molded circumferential compressionbarrier groove 76 features of tray 12 and molded seal retention means 62features lid 14 are both adapted to accommodate conventional lid sealcomponent 122 formed as an o-ring. For example, one or both ofcircumferential compression barrier groove 76 is formed as an o-ringseat molded in peripheral rim 44 of tray 12, and circumferential sealretention means 62 features lid 14 is formed as an o-ring seat molded inperipheral rim 16 of lid 14, whereby o-ring 122 is positioned betweenperipheral rim 16 of lid 14 and peripheral rim 44 of tray 12 when lid 14is in the closed position relative to tray 12. Thus, proprietary designmolded lid seal component 122 forms continuous compression seal 88between peripheral rim 16 of lid 14 and peripheral rim 44 of tray 12when lid 14 is in the closed position relative to tray 12 and latchedtherein by clamping mechanism 28.

Optionally, lid seal o-ring component 122 is optionally molded withpreload portion 56 that expands evenly between hinge and clamping endsof lid rim 14 to a peak thickness near the midpoint of lid rim 14, asmore clearly illustrated in FIG. 4, and insures that lid seal 122 willform a continuous substantially water-resistant seal between rim 16 oflid 14 and tray 12.

In FIG. 17, plastic sheet component window portion 22 of membrane 20 ispositioned in viewing aperture 18 of lid 14. By example and withoutlimitation, peripheral edge portion 104 of interior window portion 22 isjoined to interior window frame portion 116 of lid rim 16 surroundingviewing aperture 18 of lid 14. By example and without limitation,peripheral edge portion 104 of interior window portion 22 is joined tointerior window frame portion 116 surrounding lid viewing aperture 18 bytherewith. For example, over-molding interior window portion 22 intointerior window frame portion 116 of lid viewing aperture 18 isoptionally accomplished utilizing a conventional insert molding process,wherein interior window portion 22 is positioned in an injection molddie for molding lid 14, then a molten stage of suitable polymer isinjected into the same mold die cavity for forming lid 14 thereof. Asubstantially continuous and water-tight bond 118 between interiorwindow portion 22 and lid 14 at intersection of peripheral edge portion104 of interior window portion 22 and interior window frame portion 116of lid viewing aperture 18 is thus achieved through the insert moldingprocess.

In contrast to FIG. 16, interior window portion 22 is over-molded withlid 14, peripheral edge portion 104 of interior window portion 22 ispositioned on interior window frame portion 116 of lid viewing aperture18, without any lip portion 120 of interior window frame portion 116 oflid viewing aperture 18 being molded over window peripheral edge portion104. Interior window portion 22 is thus bonded to window frame portion116 of lid viewing aperture 18 with a single substantially continuousand water-tight bond 118 formed between peripheral edge portion 104 ofinterior window portion 22 and interior window frame portion 116.

While the preferred and additional alternative embodiments of theinvention have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciatedthat various changes can be made therein without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it will be appreciatedthat various changes can be made therein without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the inventor makes thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective enclosure for a device responsive toa tactile stimulus, the enclosure allowing operation of the device whilethe device is disposed in the enclosure, the enclosure comprising: atray comprising an interior device seating area and a rim around thedevice seating area, the tray adapted for receiving the device on thedevice seating area and oriented with a portion thereof responsive to atactile input facing away from the device seating area; and a lidmovable relative to the device seating area of the tray between an openposition and a closed position, the lid comprising: a rigid rim around aviewing aperture, the aperture positioned for viewing an interiorportion of the enclosure there through, a substantially transparentsheet forming an interior window positioned in the viewing aperture ofthe lid and joined thereto, and a continuous pliable seal positionedbetween the rim of the lid and the rim of the tray when the lid is inthe closed position relative to the tray, the pliable seal being spacedapart from the sheet of the lid; and wherein the enclosure comprises aprotective case adapted to hold the touch screen device and allowingoperation of the touch screen of the touch screen device.
 2. Theenclosure of claim 1, wherein the substantially transparent sheetforming the interior window comprises a hard and noncompressible plasticmembrane.
 3. The enclosure of claim 2, wherein the hard plastic membranecomprises one of. a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) membrane, and apolyvinyl chloride (PVC) material.
 4. The enclosure of claim 3, whereinthe pliable seal further comprises either a silicone material, or apolyvinyl chloride (PVC) material.
 5. The enclosure of claim 1, whereinthe pliable seal is further spaced part from the sheet forming theinterior window by the rigid rim around the viewing aperture.
 6. Theenclosure of claim 5, wherein the sheet forming an interior window isfurther bonded to the rigid rim around the viewing aperture.
 7. Theenclosure of claim 1, further comprising a clamping mechanism structuredfor clamping the pliable seal between the rim of the lid and the rim ofthe tray.
 8. The enclosure of claim 7, wherein the clamping mechanism isstructured for clamping the pliable seal between the rim of the lid andthe rim of the tray in a continuous substantially water-resistant seal.9. The enclosure of claim 7, wherein the lid is hinged relative to thedevice seating area of the tray for moving between the open position andthe closed position.
 10. The enclosure of claim 1, further comprising asubstantially watertight seal between the interior window and the rigidrim around the viewing aperture.
 11. The enclosure of claim 10, whereinthe substantially watertight seal comprises a substantially continuousjoint between the peripheral edge of the interior window and the rigidrim around the viewing aperture.
 12. The enclosure of claim 11, whereinthe joint between the interior window and the rigid rim around theviewing aperture further comprises one of. an over-molded joint, anultra-sonic weld joint, or a chemical weld joint.
 13. An enclosure for atouch screen device that allows operation of a touch screen on the touchscreen device while the touch screen device is disposed in theenclosure, the enclosure comprising: a shell that is adapted to containthe touch screen device; an aperture in the shell in such a position asto be disposed over the touch screen of the touch screen device when thetouch screen device is disposed in the enclosure; a protective membranesized for substantially filling the aperture in the shell, theprotective membrane comprising a noncompressible interior viewing andoperating window panel that is adapted to allow tactile inputs to becommunicated to the touch screen of the touch screen device, theprotective membrane mounted in the aperture with a continuous sealbetween a peripheral edge of the interior window panel and the aperturein the shell; and a continuous pliable seal formed of a compressiblematerial, the pliable seal being spaced apart from the continuous sealbetween the interior window panel and the aperture in the shell andpositioned for substantially sealing the shell around the touch screendevice; and wherein the shell comprises a protective case adapted tohold the touch screen device and allowing operation of the touch screenthrough the interior window panel of the protective membrane.
 14. Theenclosure of claim 13, wherein the continuous seal between theperipheral edge of the interior window panel and the aperture in theshell further comprises a substantially watertight seal joint comprisingone of. an over-molded joint, an ultra-sonic weld joint, or a chemicalweld joint.
 15. The enclosure of claim 13, wherein the interior windowpanel of the protective membrane comprises a hard and inelastic plasticsheet.
 16. The enclosure of claim 15, wherein the plastic sheetcomprises one of. a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material, and apolyvinyl chloride (PVC) material.
 17. The enclosure of claim 13,wherein the shell further comprises a tray and a lid, wherein theaperture is formed in the lid, and wherein the lid is movable between anopen position and a closed position relative to the tray.
 18. Theenclosure of claim 17, wherein the tray further comprises an interiordevice seating surface and a rim around the device seating surface, thetray adapted for receiving the touch screen device on the device seatingsurface and oriented with a portion thereof responsive to a tactileinput facing away from the device seating surface and toward theaperture in the shell when the lid is the closed position relative tothe tray.
 19. The enclosure of claim 18, wherein the lid furthercomprises a rim around the aperture, the rim of the lid substantiallycorresponding to the rim of the tray, and wherein the seal of theprotective membrane is positioned between the rim of the lid and the rimof the tray when the lid is in the closed position relative to the tray.20. The enclosure of claim 19, further comprising a clamping mechanismstructured for compressing the pliable seal between the rim of the lidand the rim of the tray.
 21. A protective enclosure for a touch screendevice, the enclosure comprising: a substantially rigid tray comprisinga rim surrounding an interior device seating surface; a lid comprising asubstantially rigid rim surrounding a window aperture, the rim of thelid corresponding to the rim of the tray; a protective membrane that isstructured for viewing there through and is sized to fill the windowaperture of the lid, the protective membrane comprising a thin interiorwindow surrounded by a continuous seal joint formed between a peripheraledge thereof and the window aperture of the lid; a continuous pliableseal that is adapted to be compressible between the rim of the lid andthe rim of the tray in a position spaced away from the continuous sealjoint between the protective membrane and the window aperture of thelid; and a clamping mechanism structured for clamping the rim of the lidand the rim of the tray with the continuous pliable seal forming acontinuous substantially water-resistant seal therebetween.
 22. Theenclosure of claim 21, wherein the continuous pliable seal comprises oneof. a silicone material, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material, a siliconematerial, a thermoplastic rubber (TPR) material, or a thermoplasticelastomer (TPE) material.
 23. The enclosure of claim 22, wherein theinterior window of the protective membrane comprises a noncompressiblematerial.
 24. The enclosure of claim 23, wherein the interior window ofthe protective membrane comprises one of. a polyethylene terephthalate(PET) material, and a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material.
 25. Theenclosure of claim 22, further comprising a hinge between the lid andthe tray, whereby the lid is moveable between an open position and aclosed position relative to the tray.
 26. The enclosure of claim 25,wherein the clamping mechanism is structured for clamping the lid in theclosed position relative to the tray with the pliable seal compressedthere between.